Page 9 - Martin Downs Bulletin - February '22

Martin Downs, Page 9

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Innovative Treatment For in more severe cases, damaged MitraClip™ device is inserted into the groin and guided through

Mitral Valve Patients Without valves may be repaired or the femoral vein into the mitral valve. The clip is put into place to
replaced.
allow the valve to close tightly and then the catheter is removed.
Invasive Surgery At Cleveland “Today we are able to Because the MitraClip procedure is minimally invasive, it
repair the mitral valve in over
provides a faster recovery, less pain, reduced need for blood
Clinic Martin Health 95 percent of patients with transfusion and a better cosmetic result. Most patients are
more severe leaks, thanks to discharged home the following day.
Sometimes called a “heart murmur” or a “leaky valve,” treatment advancements,” “MitraClip offers similar benefits as traditional open surgery
mitral valve regurgitation is a common heart disorder. It usually says Edward Savage, M.D., for patients that are not surgical candidates,” notes Dr. Savage.
is caused by an overstretched or degenerative mitral valve, a a cardiothoracic surgeon “In cases where medical therapy has failed, this can be lifesaving
condition in which the valve doesn’t work properly and allows and medical director of the for patients.”
blood to leak backwards. Because of this, the heart fails to pump Heart and Vascular Center at About The Frances Langford Heart Center At Cleveland
blood effectively into the rest of the body. Cleveland Clinic Martin Health. Clinic Martin Health
While some people have no symptoms, others may experience Open Surgery Alternative For Leaky Valve Offering a full spectrum of care ranging from diagnostic to
shortness of breath, fatigue, ankle swelling and heart palpitations. A treatment called transcatheter mitral valve edge-to-edge interventional services, Cleveland Clinic Martin Health provides
If left untreated, mitral valve disease can result in congestive repair offered at Cleveland Clinic Martin Health is an excellent exceptional cardiac care to help patients lead longer, healthier
heart failure, heart arrhythmias or death. option when open surgical repair is too risky for a patient. While lives. To schedule an appointment at Cleveland Clinic Martin
Medications are often used to treat mitral valve disease, but the patient is under general anesthesia, a catheter containing the Health, call (772) 419-2137.

Holiday Happenings The United Way Holiday Project benefitted from
from page 8 generous sponsorship from Rubin & Rubin Law Firm, STS
Aviation and Treasure Coast Legal.
Each family was also Nonprofit agencies, faith-based organizations, and the
provided with a turkey Martin County School District also played a vital role in
and a bag of groceries referring families in need. The data was carefully checked
filled to the brim with the for duplication with other area holiday programs to ensure
staples for a traditional as many families as possible received assistance.
holiday meal. “United Way dedicates an incredible amount of time
For the eighth year in a and energy for this project, but it truly could not happen
row, Zweben Law Group without the entire community rallying around the effort,”
coordinated the Zweben Houwaart-Diez said. “It’s a shining example that we all
Law Group Bike Drive to win when we Live United.”
make the holidays extra For more information, visit www.UnitedWayMartin.org.
special by covering the Barbara Counsellor and Deputy Crystal Nash and Ted Fitzgerald helped families About United Way Of Martin County
cost of over 336 bikes AmeriCorps Seniors Volunteer select toys at the United Way Holiday Project toy distribution. United Way of Martin County’s mission is to improve
so that children could Lynn Booth looked festive at the lives by mobilizing the caring power of our community.
experience the magic of United Way Holiday Project toy 200 bikes during their time off. Volunteers helped sort toys, Since 1972, the United Way has been working to create
waking up on Christmas distribution. decorate Santa’s workshop, assemble bicycles and more. In all, long-term social change and provide support to Martin
morning to find a shiny 219 volunteers, including 65 AmeriCorps Seniors volunteers, County residents by investing in programs that strive to:
bicycle under the tree. Martin County Paramedics & Professional donated their time in a collaborative effort to make Christmas enhance healthy living, improve education, and support
Firefighters rallied to support the effort by assembling nearly memorable for local children. financial stability.